Serious Blog Lapse

A month away is an eternity in the blog-o-sphere and for that I apologize. I wish I could say I have been too busy with ceramics to blog, but that would be a bold-faced lie. Other than turning some cups, which I have been promptly scrapping, I’ve not been making much. I have made a lot of clay in my lull though, so when I’m ready to buckle down everything will be ready.

In other pottery news, I sold my tried and true kick wheel. I was sad to see it go but it helps knowing that the new owner will be “sticking it to the man” when he gets away from his corporate job. While the seat was never very comfortable, my vintage Thomas Stuart served me well for nine years. I have a tiny studio and want to winterize it, meaning I need to get my big ass wedging table in from the open garage.
A few other factors have contributed to my lull. Since the last big fire with David Stuempfle, I’ve been in the midst of a room mate shuffle. Also, David is building a new kiln so I don’t have a clear deadline or destination for what I make right now. Most of all, my head just isn’t into throwing right now. Most of my ideas have revolved around slip cast lately as I anticipate spring concentration at Penland. Needless to say, I’m really excited about being Tom Spleth’s studio assistant for eight weeks.

This past weekend I went east to Bertie County and stayed on my friend’s old plantation. I packed a Holga and took some photographs so I can submit to the upcoming Plastic CameraWorks2 show at Rebus Works. I took a lot of multiple exposures and had my friends Chad and Kristen wear old clothes and model for what I hope is a rather haunting series. I also took some landscapes at Merchants Mill Pond while we paddled the swamp. I’m anxious to get these developed. Its been too long since I shot film and even longer since I ventured out of my comfort zone doing studio photography and photojournalism, but I feel it could be an important direction to pursue. I’ve always been interested in doing photo transfers, so perhaps I’ll give it a shot once I start slip casting.
Oh, one more thing. Check out the new New Raleigh. David Millsaps redesigned the site and I gotta say, its way sexier.